The Green Bay Packers added nine new players to their roster during the 2020 NFL draft. GM Brian Gutekunst used this year’s draft to select a developmental quarterback, two offensive skill players, three offensive linemen and three defenders.
Nothing provides a dose of hope quite like a draft class, even if the class is widely hated by draft analysts.
Here is one big thing to like about each of the Packers’ nine picks:
QB Jordan Love
The talent. There’s little doubt that Love needs to sit, learn the pro game and fix some bad habits he developed during a disappointing 2019 season. But the talent is undeniable. He makes throwing the football look easy, with a quick, effortless release and the ability to drive the football to any spot on the field from a variety of throwing platforms. He hangs in the pocket and attacks. He can escape with athleticism. His foundation as a quarterback is built on some really good traits. Now, he’ll get an opportunity to learn from one the greatest quarterbacks of all-time and work with a coach with a long track record of developing the position. If the talent, situation and development opportunities mix correctly, the Packers could wind up with another upper-tier quarterback.
RB A.J. Dillon
The combination of size and athleticism. When adjusting for weight (247 pounds), Dillon produced near incomparable numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.53 seconds), vertical leap (41″) and broad jump (131″), giving him a chance to be a special runner at the next level. Backs that big just don’t run that fast or jump that high. He used his rare combination of size and power to bully his way to 81 broken tackles last season. According to Pro Football Focus, only Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss forced more missed tackles over the last three college football seasons than Dillon. The Packers will hope he’s a tackle-breaking machine at the next level.
TE Josiah Deguara
The versatility. Cincinnati played Deguara at inline tight end, in the slot, out wide and in the backfield. The Packers plan to do the same. He should be tough enough to be an effective blocker on the move and athletic enough to threaten in the passing game from several different spots. Coach Matt LaFleur believes Deguara will aid the Packers in pre-snap disguise and stress defensive personnel. Deguara probably isn’t going to catch 70 passes a season, but he’s a strong fit in the offense who will play a specific but important role for LaFleur, advancing the vision forward. His ceiling as a player is Kyle Juszczyk or Delanie Walker.
LB Kamal Martin
The coverage. The Packers raved about Martin’s length and athleticism and how his background playing in space will help him as a coverage player at the next level. They think he can run down the seam with tight ends and be an asset in the middle of the field on passing downs. Martin didn’t run at the combine because of a knee injury, so the athletic profile isn’t complete. However, the former high school quarterback does have long arms (34″) and a wide wingspan (81″), giving him the potential to disrupt passing windows with length.
OL Jon Runyan Jr.
The agility. Time and time again, the Packers have found collegiate left tackles with good feet and questionable length and moved them inside to guard or center. Runyan proved his short-area quickness at the combine, producing strong numbers in the three-cone drill (7.57) and short shuttle (4.69). Both are good indicators of success for incoming NFL linemen. The Packers think he’s smart and tough enough to play guard. Runyan might not have the height or arm length to survive outside, but he certainly fits the athletic profile of a player the Packers will move inside and eventually develop into a starter.
C Jake Hanson
The experience. He started 49 games over four seasons as a full-time starter at Oregon, earning All-Pac 12 honors each year. Oregon credited Hanson with zero sacks allowed during his first three seasons, a streak of almost 2,800 snaps. The Packers think he can play some center and guard. All rookies enter the NFL a little green, but Hanson is as battle-tested as any player in the class.
OL Simon Stepaniak
The strength. The Indiana guard put up 37 reps on the bench press at the combine, the second-most from those in attendance. How strong is Stepaniak? Consider this, from Bruce Feldman of The Athletic: “The fifth-year senior is one of the strongest men in college football. The 6-4, 322-pound right guard bench presses 515 pounds, and his hang clean max is 410 pounds. He has done 41 reps on the 225-pound bench.”
S Vernon Scott
The versatility. The Packers think Scott can play deep and down near the line of scrimmage, either in an overhang role or in the slot. Although he didn’t get an invite to the combine or have a pro day, the Packers saw him as a player with sub-4.5 speed at around 200 pounds. Scott had just one year of starting experience but his versatility and special teams work could help him stick in Green Bay.
EDGE Jonathan Garvin
The length. Garvin is young (still only 20), and he wasn’t as productive during his junior year as his breakout sophomore season, but his length on the edge is appealing. The 6-4 edge rusher has 34″ arms and a wingspan over 80″, helping him earn the nickname “Spider.” He produced 26 tackles for losses in just 25 games during the last two years. The Packers believe he can develop more physically and play a versatile role as an outside linebacker and interior rusher.
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